Regional Issues

New York Governor Designates May as Aviation Appreciation Month

May 23, 2012

A proclamation declaring May 2012 as Aviation Appreciation Month in New York was signed May 21 by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. The declaration makes New York the 40th state to officially recognize the value of business and general aviation (GA) since the beginning of the No Plane No Gain campaign in 2009.

“Business aviation is a critical tool for companies in New York to improve efficiency, save money and open up opportunities for rural areas not served by commercial aviation, thereby bringing new business, investment and jobs to all areas of the state,” said the governor.

The proclamation added, “Airports and the aviation industry play a critical role in the lives of our citizens, as well as the economic prosperity of the state of New York.”

A study by the New York State Department of Transportation in 2011 calculated the economic benefit of aviation to New York citizens at more than $50 billion a year. In addition, the study found that nearly 400,000 state residents are employed either directly or indirectly in aviation, with $18 billion in payroll tax and about $4.5 billion in state and local tax revenue. The Empire State has more than 600 landing areas, including public and private airports, heliports and seaplane bases.

The proclamation noted that many communities in New York depend heavily on their local airports for the continued flow of commerce, tourists and visitors, and these facilities are the boarding points for more than 40 million travelers per year. The 2011 New York State Aviation Division Economic Impact Report showed the state benefitting particularly from aviation manufacturing, maintenance and repair facilities, passenger enplanements and air cargo.

The report also cited a strong presence of business jets in the state, which typically generate about $1 million in annual spending and five direct jobs per jet. The state is home to nearly 300 NBAA Member Companies that use GA aircraft to make their businesses stronger and more profitable, including a number of Fortune 500 companies.

Cuomo’s proclamation coincides with several state celebrations, including the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach State Park, hosted by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.

This year’s Aviation Month proclamation was initiated by the New York Aviation Management Association, and sponsored in the New York State Senate by Sen. William Larkin and in the State Assembly by Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo. They are co-chairs of the New York Legislative Aviation Caucus.

In addition to New York, 39 other states have now officially recognized the value of business flying for their state, including Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Review the list of state proclamations.